Jacksonville teams sweep IDTA State

The Jacksonville J’ettes and Winterguard flag teams had another strong showing at State-level contest this weekend. The teams competed in the Illinois Drill Team Association’s (IDTA) state finals hosted in the Bank of Springfield Center.

The Jacksonville teams took first place in every event they competed in. Winter Guard took firsts in Tall and Lyrical Flags. The JV J’ettes took first in Lyrical and Poms, and the Varsity J’ettes took first in Pom dance and Hip Hop. Overall the JV squad were the Grand Champions, while the Variety team was second Grand Campion.

There were also strong individual performances. Anna Bezler was a top 10 soloist, and Emilie Bezler won Miss IDTA for dance.

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Jacksonville J’ettes place 5th at state

The JHS J’ettes dance team competed at the state contest in Bloomington this weekend. The team finished 5th with their “Thunder” routine. This was the first year that the J’ettes competed in the IHSA contest.

City Tournament: Lanphier and Southeast both win big in opening night

No matter how hard Springfield High tried to outpace the Lanphier Lions to start the game, they were outmatched early 21-5 in the first quarter. The Lions never let up and finished with a 80-48 win in the second game Thursday in the 70th Boys City Basketball Tournament at the Bank of Springfield Center. James Jones went for a team high 17 points and six rebounds for Lanphier and Cardell McGee added 15 points. Zaire Harris lead the Springfield scorers with 15 points on the night.

IHSA football championships coming of age in 2017

There is more happening in DeKalb this weekend than just eight state football title games. The IHSA’s state football championships are coming of age.

This is the third time Northern Illinois University will host the Illinois State Football Championships. That means 16 teams from 16 schools and 16 bands and 16 bus loads of fans. That means 16 groups of parents and boosters.

The IHSA’s Craig Anderson said that means a lot of hotel rooms, hot dogs, soda, gas, and tickets.

Anderson said the IHSA has never studied the economic boom that is the state championship weekend, but he said both DeKalb and Champaign-Urbana, which hosts in the other years, seem to be happy.

“I think it’s been beneficial to both communities to have us there,” Anderson explained. “Obviously, the increases for hotels and restaurants, and all of those things that benefit from an event like ours.”

Anderson said in addition to the economics growing around high school football, he says the whole event from the game itself to the TV broadcast have come of age in recent years and are as strong as ever.

“The different things that we’re providing,” Anderson said. “TV and otherwise, that it’s being streamed to all parts of the world are ways in which we can see that the tournament has grown.”

The IHSA’s Craig Anderson said that means a lot of hotel rooms, hot dogs, soda, gas, and tickets.

Anderson said the IHSA has never studied the economic boom that is the state championship weekend, but he said both DeKalb and Champaign-Urbana, which hosts in the other years, seem to be happy.

“I think it’s been beneficial to both communities to have us there,” Anderson explained. “Obviously, the increases for hotels and restaurants, and all of those things that benefit from an event like ours.”

Anderson said in addition to the economics growing around high school football, he says the whole event from the game itself to the TV broadcast have come of age in recent years and are as strong as ever.

“The different things that we’re providing,” Anderson said. “TV and otherwise, that it’s being streamed to all parts of the world are ways in which we can see that the tournament has grown.”

Sixteen teams will face off over the next two days, crowning eight champions by the end of the day Saturday.